Keywords:

behavioural therapy;

cognitive therapy;

psychotherapy;

depression;

meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective

To systematically review the effectiveness of behavioural therapy in depressed older adults.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched to July 2009. Reference lists of systematic reviews and identified studies from the search strategy were also screened. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of behavioural therapy compared with waiting list controls or other psychotherapies in older adults (aged ≥55 years) with clinical depression were included. One author independently identified studies for inclusion. Two authors extracted data and assessed the included studies for risk of bias. Estimates of depression were combined using a random effects model and the I2 statistic to examine heterogeneity.